Upon further review, maybe Tim’s right on Jennings

Maybe, just maybe, Tim Purpura’s wait-and-see attitude with Jason Jennings is not so bad after all. Jennings is wanting Ted Lilly or Gil Meche money now. Frankly, with so many teams in need of pitching, he’d probably get it on the open market.

Meche (5 years, $55 million) is 55-44 in his career; Lilly (4 years, $40 million) is 59-58. Jennings is 58-56 despite four straight losing seasons. Very similar numbers and Jennings will make the argument he did his work at Coors Field.

But the Astros may be handcuffing themselves tying up Jennings long term. If Jennings turns out to be a true #2, then pay the man the money. But if the Astros pay up now and then Jennings doesn’t produce, the Astros will be stuck with the salary and still looking for someone to pitch behind Roy O.

The Astros are already committed to $46 million for four players next season and since there is no one in the system, they’ll probably have to pay Morgan Ensberg or another third baseman around $7 million next season. Figure Brad Lidge will get similar $$$ if he’s still here and you’re suddenly at $60 million for six players.

If the Astros pay Jennings $10-$12 million, the Astros will have little money left for the free agent market for catcher or perhaps shortstop. And if Richard Hidalgo or Luke Scott have good years, they’ll want more money. Same for players like Mike Lamb and Mark Loretta, who may want to play in Houston next season.

Bottom line, I’d rather have to pay $13-14 million a season for Jennings if he pans out than pay 4 years, $40 million and tie up dollars if he doesn’t.

Astros’ Salaries

2008

2009

2010

2011

Carlos Lee

$12m

$18.5m

$18.5m

$18.5

Roy Oswalt

$13m

$14m

$15m

$16m

Lance Berkman

$14.5m

$14.5m

$14.5m

*$15m

Woody Williams

$6.5m

—

—

—

Total

$46m

$47m

$48m

$49.5m

*–team option.

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The Astros may be close to bringing another pitcher into camp to compete for the rotation. Pedro Astacio — 5-5, 5.98 last season for Washington — may accept a spot as a non-roster invitee. Rotoworld and CBS Sportsline both say it is “doubtful” he can contribute as a starter, however.

It’s hard to envision a back end of the rotation that could include Astacio and Brian Moehler, but it doesn’t cost the Astros anything to take a look.

For example, the new rules call for a pitcher to pitch the ball in 12 seconds, down from 20. Consequence: A called ball. Also, a batter must keep one foot in the batter’s box while taking signs between pitches or be subject to a called strike.

The new rules are intended to speed up the game, but I can’t envision umpires jumping on the bandwagon. MLB rules have long called the top of the strike zone at the “letters”, but umpires rarely call a strike that high.

But seven MLB catchers (with at least 300 at bats) hit over .300 last season and another six hit .280 or better. Twelve had 16 HRs or more and 19 had 50 RBI or more. On average, starting catchers play approximately 130-140 games per season — and some teams have a platoon situation — so these numbers are even more significant.

For example, Brian McCann was .333-24-93 in 130 games. Ivan Rodriguez was .300-13-69 in 136. Paul LoDuca, Victor Martinez and Joe Mauer each scored 80+ runs and hit over .300.

That said, I’m taking issue only with the comment mentioned above. Ausmus obviously brings more to the table than he gets credit for — he is a Gold Glove — and hopefully he gets his average back up to around his career .253 average.

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LSU-E Update

LSU-E, where my son Josh plays, stretched its record to 10-0 with a double header win on Saturday. The team is back in Texas (Jacksonville) for a Tuesday twinbill. The Bengals are the #1 ranked JUCO in the country.